Alpacas take stage for the first time

On Friday morning at the Ashland County Fair, there was a new type of animal at the Coliseum. Five contestants and about 40 spectators showed up for the first Alpaca Show at 10 a.m.

"We just wanted to give kids the hands-on experience working with alpacas," said one of the show's organizers and judge Kate Wilkins of Alberdeen Alpacas in Hayesville. Many 4-H programs in neighboring communities already have Alpaca projects and Wilkins would love to see one come to Ashland. Wilkins was impressed with the showing Friday and looks forward to next year, "hopefully with quadruple the participants," she said.

Alpacas are known for their easy-going nature and low maintenance habits. This makes them perfect for children of all ages to raise and show. Wilkins remembers her niece going through obstacle courses with an alpaca when she was even 2 years old. Two of the contestants in Friday's show were younger than 9 years old.

"Alpacas are just great to get little kids accustomed to showing animals and used to the consistency of working with them," Wilkins said.

During the morning show, the contestants had to preform various tasks including walking their alpacas over a mini bridge, over a jump, having the animal stand in a hula hoop, attempting to put a towel on the alpaca's back, walking through a curtain and having the animal walk backward. They were given two attempts to accomplish each task and given points for each task successfully completed.

Liz Henley, 14, won first place in the contest with an alpaca she had worked with at a local farm. This was her first time showing an alpaca, though she shows various other animals at the Loudonville Street Fair and the Ashland County Fair.

"It was hard at first," she said of training the alpaca. "Sometimes he gets bored and would just lay down in the middle of doing something."

It was also the first time showing an alpaca for Carley Campo, 10, who earned second place. While Campo's favorite animal to show is the horse, she had fun with her first alpaca show.

"I love their fleece," she said of the alpacas. "And they're not too hard to train."

Her favorite part of the show was taking her alpaca over the jumps.

The alpaca show wasn't just a first for the contestants it was also a first for many of the viewers. Amber Bishop of Hayesville enjoyed the show with her children Lauren, 8, Colton, 10, and Gracie, 3. The family are proud new alpaca owners, they have three right now and will get a fourth soon. Amber got the animals partially to teach her kids responsibility. "They're gentle so we know they'd be so good with children," Amber said of alpacas.

The family went to the show to see what was involved to see if they could want to participate in the future. Colton enjoyed the show and thought it was funny.

"I think it might be hard," he said of training alpacas. "But it's fun to watch," his sister, Lauren, said.

The siblings plan on training their animals and being involved in the show next year.

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